Sponsored by
VIDEO: Heathwood pupils go bananas
Fairtrade fortnight prompts world record banana eating challenge.
Leighton Linslade Fairtrade supporters will be munching their way through Fairtrade bananas as part of a national attempt to break the fruit-eating record.
The record breaking event will take place at 10.30am on Saturday, March 7, at Parsons Close Recreation Ground during Fairtrade Fortnight (February 23 to March 8) and they are hoping that as many people from Leighton and Linslade will slip along to take part.
The Fairtrade Foundation's annual awareness raising campaign brings together producers, campaigners businesses and community groups, to highlight global trade inequality and promote Fairtrade, which benefits small scale farmers and farm workers and their communities in the developing world.
To raise awareness of the event here in town, Heathwood Lower school – Leighton's Fairtrade school – has learned the words to The Fairtrade Banana Song for the children's own Go Bananas for Fairtrade event. The song has its roots deep in Jamaican culture.
Years 1 to 4 pay for a boy from Sierra Leone called Abdulai Bangalie to attend school through sales from their Friday tuck shop as part of their ongoing commitment.
The LBO went along on Thursday to film the children in action.
Back to the world record attempt and people from Leighton Linslade can join forces with hundreds of other Fairtrade towns, churches, schools, and Fairtrade producer groups from all around the world to take part in the record attempt between noon on March 7 and midday March 8.
Nicola Wiseman, chair of the Steering Group says: 'We are asking people to Go Bananas and join us in our world record eating attempt in the rec. The Town Crier will 'cry' for us, encouraging people to gather at the Band Stand in Parsons Close to have some banana fun, hear some banana facts, take the banana pledge, sing the Fairtrade Banana Song and finally send a postcard to Gordon Brown urging the UK government to fight for trade rules that directly address the needs and problems of the poorest people in the world." Local supporting shops Nature's Harvest, Oxfam and Greenways have special window displays, product tasting and a competition.
Room No. 9 has its yummy homemade Fairtrade banana bread on the menu and Green Tea has delicious Fairtrade banana waffles to tempt the palate. Vandyke Upper School has a conference for its Sixth Form and one of the guest speakers will have recently returned from Costa Rica where he has visited Fairtade producers.
Nicola said: "By buying Fairtrade, consumers are ensuring producers receive a minimum price and Fairtrade premium, which in turn enables them to continue to earn a decent living and support their families. That's why during Fairtrade Fortnight we are urging everyone to Go Bananas."
Here is the first verse of the banana song so you can join in on March 7 or just sing along with the children from Heathwood:
"Fairtrade bananas
"Are the best of the bunch,
"You can have them for your breakfast,
"You can have them for lunch
"You can have them for your dinner
"You can have them for your tea
"So, Fairtrade bananas
"For you and for me!"
Don't forget to cut your best Calypso grooves while singing just as the children at Heathwood did on Thursday.
For more information or for a downloadable Go Bananas event pack, go to the Fairtrade Foundation website www.fairtrade.org.uk/gobananas
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Leighton Buzzard
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -0 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -4 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South east
